Tube hat

ABSTRACT

A tube hat is described which is constructed from at least one collapsible, generally tubular member having two open ends, one end thereof being adapted to fit over the head of a person. The other open end may be gathered to form a smaller opening through which a ponytail or braid may be passed, or closed for warmth or style. In another embodiment of the invention, the tube hat may include a headband/ear warmer and a head-covering portion. The headband/ear warmer may be constructed such that the head-covering portion may be stowed therein when weather conditions warrant the use of ear protection, but not a head covering. If the temperature drops, the head-covering portion may be deployed with the now empty head band remaining useful as an ear protector. Some embodiments of the tube hat may be reversible, showing different patterns or colors for the exposed surfaces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application No. 60/652,926, entitled “Tube Hat”, filed Feb.14, 2005, by Janet A. Knievel, the entire disclosure of which is herebyspecifically incorporated by reference for all that it discloses andteaches.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hats and, more particularly,to hats having a generally tubular shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reversible headwear, having different colors and/or patterns for each ofthe exposed headwear versions, is often desirable for fashion-consciousindividuals interested in displaying matching clothing items whichinclude a head covering.

Additionally, it is desirable to have headwear which can accommodatewearer ponytails and braids by permitting such hairstyles to passthrough the headwear for purposes of style or convenience. In U.S. Pat.No. 5,509,145 for “Cap with Opening Having a Removable Closure” whichissued to Karen L. Stevenson et al. on Apr. 23, 1996, a baseball-stylecap having a hole at the top of the crown for a ponytail or braid topass through and a removable closure that conceals the hole at theoption of the wearer, is described.

Some head coverings are too tight, and flatten a wearer's hair. Otherhead coverings may be too warm in some conditions, when ear protectionis all that is desired, especially if the wearer has thick hair.However, if the temperature drops, a full head covering may again bepreferred.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideheadwear which serves either as an ear warmer or a convenientlyaccessible hat which continues to provide warmth to one's ears.

Another object of the present invention is to provide headwear whichallows a ponytail or braid to pass therethrough.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide headwear which can bereversed.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with itspurposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, the tube hat hereof includes: a collapsible, generally tubularmember having a first open end adapted to fit on the head of a person,and a second open end disposed opposite to the first open end; and meansfor restricting or closing the opening of the second open end.

In another aspect of the invention and in accordance with its objectsand purposes, the tube hat hereof includes: a collapsible, generallytubular member having a first open end, and a second open end disposedopposite to the first open end; and a headband adapted to fit on thehead of a person, having a third open end and a fourth open end disposedopposite to the third open end, wherein the third open end is fastenedto the tubular member in the vicinity of the first open end thereof.

In still another aspect of the invention and in accordance with itsobjects and purposes, the hat hereof includes: a collapsible tubularmember having a first open end and a second open end disposed oppositeto the first open end, and capable of being placed over the head of aperson; and a headband attached to the tubular member in the region ofthe first open end thereof, including: an inner portion adapted to fitover the head of a person and to cover the ears thereof, having a thirdopen end generally opening toward the neck of the person when worn, anda fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end; an outerportion approximately coextensive with the inner portion and joinedthereto in the region of the third open end of said inner portion,forming thereby an annular pouch into which the tubular member can beplaced; and fastening means for holding the inner portion and the outerportion together in the region of the fourth opening thereof.

In yet another aspect of the invention and in accordance with itsobjects and purposes, the hat hereof includes: a collapsible tubularmember having a first open end and a second open end disposed oppositeto the first open end, and capable of being placed over the head of aperson; and a headband attached to the tubular member in the region ofthe first open end thereof, including: an inner portion adapted to fitover the head of a person and to cover the ears thereof, having a thirdopen end generally opening toward the neck of the person when worn, anda fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end, the tubularportion further being attached in the region of the third open end ofthe inner portion; an outer portion approximately coextensive with theinner portion and joined thereto in the region of the third open end ofsaid inner portion, forming thereby an annular pouch into which thetubular member can be placed; and fastening means for holding the innerportion and the outer portion together in the region of the fourthopening thereof.

Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are notlimited to, providing a hat which is reversible, allows a wearer havinglonger hair to pass a braid or a ponytail through the fabric thereof asan option, and allows a wearer to tuck the head-covering portion of thehat into the headband, thereby providing ear covering without the warmthof a hat while retaining the head-covering option in the event that thetemperature drops.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of thecollapsible tube hat of the present invention shown in place on the headof a wearer thereof having head-covering portion with one open endloosely draped over the wearer's neck, FIG. 1B is a schematicrepresentation of the collapsible tube hat shown in FIG. 1A hereofshowing the open end of the head-covering portion gathered by an elasticband or other fabric gathering means, and FIG. 1C is a schematicrepresentation of the collapsible tube hat shown in FIG. 1A hereofshowing a ponytail passing through the gathered open end of thehead-covering portion.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of another embodiment of thecollapsible tube hat of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A hereofshowing a flattened or collapsed condition thereof, and illustrating aheadband portion for providing ear warmth and protection, ahead-covering attached thereto, and a gathering device attached to thefabric portion, while FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of theembodiment of the collapsible tube hat shown in FIG. 2A hereof showingthe opposite side of the collapsed tube hat from that shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of another embodiment of theheadband/ear warmer portion of the tube hat of the present invention,while FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of the headband/ear warmerof FIG. 3A covering the ears of a wearer.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a top projection view of theheadband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A hereof, illustrating the partiallyopened pocket closure in the top portion thereof, and a small portion ofthe head-covering portion of the hat tucked into the pocket formed inthe headband/ear warmer; FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of across section of the headband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A, illustratingthe head-covering portion of the hat tucked into the pocket; FIG. 4C isa schematic representation of a cross section of the headband/ear warmershown in FIG. 3A illustrating the head-covering portion as being fullydeployed and attached to the headband/ear warmer in the vicinity of theopen end thereof facing away from the neck of a wearer thereof; FIG. 4Dis a schematic representation of a cross section of the headband/earwarmer shown in FIG. 3A illustrating the head-covering portion as beingfully deployed and attached to the headband/ear warmer in the vicinityof the open end thereof facing the neck of a wearer thereof; and FIG. 4Eis a schematic representation of a side view of the headband/ear warmershown in FIG. 3A in its collapsed condition, illustrating thehead-covering portion as being fully deployed and the headband portionbeing fully opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Briefly, the present invention includes a tube hat constructed from atleast one deformable, generally tubular material having two open ends,one end being adapted to fit on the head of a person. Means are providedfor restricting the opening of the open end of the hat which is notplaced on the head of the wearer, for reasons of warmth or style, or topass a ponytail or braid therethrough. It is anticipated that thematerial may be a cloth comprised of cotton, wool, silk, and othernatural fibers, polyester and other synthetic fibers, and compositefabric materials, as examples, and combinations and blends thereof, andmay be patterned or textured both inside and out, permitting differentdesigns to be exposed when the hat is reversed. Felts, furs and fleeces,including faux fur, may also be used. More than one type of material, ormaterials having different thicknesses, may be used in combination aswell.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tube hat may include a headband/ear warmer and a head-covering portion. Otherwise, the tube hatfunctions as described hereinabove.

In yet another embodiment of the tube hat of the present invention, thehead band is constructed such that it forms a pocket in which thehead-covering portion may be stowed when weather conditions warrant theuse of ear protection, but not a head covering. If the temperaturedrops, the head-covering portion may be deployed with the now empty headband remaining useful as an ear protector. Otherwise, the tube hatfunctions as described hereinabove.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying FIGURES. Similar or identical structure will be denotedusing identical callouts.

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of collapsibletube hat, 10, of the present invention illustrated in place on the headof a wearer thereof having head-covering portion, 12, loosely drapedover the wearers neck, and having first open end, 14. Second open end,16, is adapted to fit over the head of the wearer. In some embodimentsof the invention, head-covering portion 12 may cover the wearer's ears,or be adjusted to remain above the ear. In some embodiments of theinvention, the portion of collapsible tube hat 10 covering the ears maybe in the form of headband or ear warmer, 18, as shown in FIG. 1A. Band,18, may be fabricated from warmer material and stitched or sewn, orotherwise attached, 20, to head-covering portion 12, which may befabricated from a different material or band 18 may be formed from thematerial of head-covering portion 12 by folding it onto itself. Band 18may be the same or different weight material from the material ofhead-covering portion 12, the same or a different color or patterntherefrom, the same or a different texture therefrom, and/or the same ora different material therefrom. Many combinations may be envisioned.Decorative and/or hemming stitching, 22 a and 22 b, may also beemployed. It should be mentioned that head-covering portion 12 andheadband 18 may be fabricated in more than one layer for warmth or fordecorative purposes.

FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of collapsible tube hat 10 showingopen end 12 gathered at one end for warmth or style by elastic band, 24,or other gathering means, such as an external string or internallyplaced draw string, as examples. Gathering means 24 may be used to closeopen end 14 of head-covering portion 12 as well. FIG. 1C is a schematicrepresentation of collapsible tube hat 10 showing a ponytail passingthrough gathered open end 14.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of collapsible tube hat 10 in itsflattened or collapsed condition, showing headband portion 18,head-covering portion 12 attached thereto, and gathering and/or closingmeans 24 attached to head-covering portion 12, while FIG. 2B is aschematic representation of the embodiment of collapsible tube hat 10shown in FIG. 2A illustrating the opposite side of the collapsible tubehat thereof.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation another embodiment of theheadband/ear warmer portion of the tube hat of the present invention.Head-covering portion 12 (not shown in FIG. 3A) of collapsible tube hat10 is stowed inside of headband/ear warmer 18 when weather conditionsallow the use only of a headband/ear warmer. FIG. 3B is a schematicrepresentation of the headband/ear warmer 18 of FIG. 3A covering theears of a wearer.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a top projection view ofheadband/ear warmer 18 shown in FIG. 3A hereof, illustrating thepartially opened pocket closure, 26, in the top portion, 28, thereof,and a small portion of head-covering portion 12 of collapsible tube hat10 tucked into pocket,. 30, formed in headband/ear warmer 18. Pocket 30has a generally annular shape when tube hat 10 is in its expandedcondition. Pocket closure 26 is held closed using Velcro fasteners, 32 aand 32 b, attached to the exterior and interior portions or walls, 34 aand 34 b, respectively. Hooks, zippers, snaps, Ziploc closures, eyelets,and buttons, as examples may also be used to hold pocket closure 26closed. Walls 34 a and 34 b may be separate pieces of material stitchedtogether, say, using decorative stitches 22 b, or may be a single pieceof material folded and stitched in the vicinity of opening 16 ofheadband/ear warmer 18 which faces the neck of a wearer when collapsibletube hat 10 is worn.

FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of a cross section of headband/earwarmer 18 shown in FIG. 3A, illustrating the head-covering portion 12 ofthe hat tucked, folded or stuffed into pocket 30. Callout, 22 b, showsdecorative gathering and stitching of walls 34 a and 34 b in thevicinity of end 16 of headband/ear warmer 18.

FIG. 4C is a schematic representation of a cross section of theheadband/ear warmer 18 shown in FIG. 3A illustrating head-coveringportion 12 as being fully deployed. FIG. 4C illustrates the material ofhead-covering portion 12 being stitched or otherwise attached, 36, toboth exterior wall 34 a and to interior wall 34 b in the region of topportion 28 in order to help stabilize collapsible tube hat 10 whenhead-covering portion 12 is deployed. The material of head-covering 12may also be attached to walls 34 a and 34 b at the positions designatedby 20 in FIG. 4C. Exterior and interior walls 34 a and 34 b are shown assingle-walled material; however, as stated hereinabove, materials havinga double-wall may also be employed as may double walls of differentmaterials. Loop, 39, in the material of head-covering 12 shown in thevicinity of exterior wall 34 a at position permits Velcro fasteners 32 aand 32 b to function when the material of head-covering 12 is tuckedinto pocket 30. It should be mentioned that loop 39 may also be formedin the vicinity of internal wall 34 b if the material of head-covering12 is stitched to wall 34 b.

FIG. 4D is a schematic representation of a cross section of theheadband/ear warmer 18 shown in FIG. 3A illustrating head-coveringportion 12 as being fully deployed. It is to be noticed in FIG. 4D thatthe material of head-covering portion 12 is stitched or otherwiseattached, 36, 38, to walls 34 a and 34 b in the region of top portion28, and tacked, stitched or otherwise attached, 40, in the region ofopening 16 in situations where additional warmth or wind protectionmight be required for the ear-covering portion of tube hat 10. It shouldalso be mentioned that the material of head-covering 12 may be stitchedor otherwise attached to only one of walls 34 a or 34 b at eitherposition 36 or 38, respectively, if less insulation is required or thematerial is sufficiently thick; in either situation, the material ofhead-covering 12 would be stitched or otherwise attached at position 40.Both attachments mentioned hereinabove in the region of position 40 mayinstead be included in stitching 22 b shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. Exteriorand interior walls 34 a and 34 b are shown as double-walled material;however, materials having a single-wall may also be employed as maydouble walls of different materials.

FIG. 4E is a schematic representation of a side view of headband/earwarmer 18 shown in FIG. 3A in its collapsed condition, illustratinghead-covering portion 12 as being fully deployed and the headbandportion being fully opened to better show stitching 22 b which eitherjoins separate walls 34 a and 34 b in the region of open end 16, ordecorates and stabilizes a folded, single material which constituteswalls 34 a and 34 b.

It should be mentioned that the embodiment of the present inventionillustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4A-4E hereof may be worn as described inFIGS. 1A-1C hereof, and that headband/ear warmer 18 and head-coveringmember 12 of collapsible tube hat 10 described hereinabove in thoseFIGURES may be constructed from a single piece of fabric or othermaterial.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description and is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, andobviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and with various modifications asare suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that thescope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

1. A hat comprising: (a) a collapsible, generally tubular member havinga first open end adapted to fit on the head of a person, and a secondopen end disposed opposite to said first open end; and (b) means forrestricting the opening of the second open end.
 2. The hat of claim 1,wherein said tubular member is comprised of at least one material havinga chosen thickness.
 3. The hat of claim 2, wherein a portion of said atleast one material in the vicinity of the first open end is folded backonto itself forming thereby a folded portion having an open end adaptedto fit on the head of a person such that a double thickness of the atleast one material covers at least a portion of the head of the person.4. The hat of claim 1, further comprising a headband adapted to fit onthe head of a person having a third open end and a fourth open enddisposed opposite to the third open end, the third open end beingattached to said tubular member in the vicinity of the first open endthereof.
 5. The hat of claim 4, wherein the third open end of saidheadband is stitched to said tubular member in the vicinity of the firstopen end thereof.
 6. A hat comprising: (a) a collapsible, generallytubular member having a first open end and a second open end; and (b) aheadband adapted to fit over the head of a person, having a third openend and a fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end,wherein said headband is attached in the region of the third open endthereof to said tubular member in the vicinity of the first open endthereof.
 7. The hat of claim 6, further comprising means for restrictingthe second open end of said hat.
 8. The hat of claim 7, wherein saidmeans for restricting the second open end of said hat comprises anelastic band.
 9. The hat of claim 6, wherein said headband is stitchedto said tubular member in the vicinity of the first open end thereof.10. A hat comprising: (a) a collapsible tubular member having a firstopen end and a second open end disposed opposite to the first open end;and (b) a headband attached to said tubular member in the region of thefirst open end thereof, comprising: (i) an inner portion adapted to fitover the head of a person and to cover the ears thereof, having a thirdopen end generally opening toward the neck of the person when worn, anda fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end; (ii) an outerportion approximately coextensive with said inner portion and joinedthereto in the region of the third open end of said inner portion,forming thereby an annular pouch into which said tubular member can bestuffed; and (iii) fastening means for holding said inner portion andsaid outer portion together in the region of the fourth opening thereof.11. The hat of claim 10, further comprising means for restricting theopening of the second open end.
 12. The hat of claim 11, wherein saidmeans for restricting the second open end of said hat comprises anelastic band.
 13. The hat of claim 10, wherein said means for holdingsaid inner portion and said outer portion together is selected from thegroup consisting of hooks, zippers, snaps, Velcro, Ziploc, eyelets, andbuttons.
 14. The hat of claim 10, wherein said inner portion and saidouter portion are joined together in the region of the third open end ofsaid inner portion by stitching.
 15. The hat of claim 14, wherein saidinner portion and said outer portion are formed from a single piece ofmaterial folded onto itself in the region of the third open end of saidinner portion.
 16. A hat comprising: (a) a collapsible tubular memberhaving a first open end and a second open end disposed opposite to thefirst open end; and (b) a headband attached to said tubular member inthe region of the first open end thereof, comprising: (i) an innerportion adapted to fit over the head of a person and to cover the earsthereof, having a third open end generally opening toward the neck ofthe person when worn, and a fourth open end disposed opposite to thethird open end, said tubular portion further being attached in theregion of the third open end of said inner portion; (ii) an outerportion approximately coextensive with said inner portion and joinedthereto in the region of the third open end of said inner portion,forming thereby an annular pouch into which said tubular member can bestuffed; and (iii) fastening means for holding said inner portion andsaid outer portion together in the region of the fourth opening thereof.17. The hat of claim 16, further comprising means for restricting theopening of the second open end.
 18. The hat of claim 17, wherein saidmeans for restricting the second open end of said hat comprises anelastic band.
 19. The hat of claim 15, wherein said means for holdingsaid inner portion and said outer portion together is selected from thegroup consisting of hooks, zippers, snaps, Velcro, Ziploc, eyelets, andbuttons.
 20. The hat of claim 16, wherein said inner portion and saidouter portion are joined together in the region of the third open end ofsaid inner portion by stitching.
 21. The hat of claim 16, wherein saidinner portion and said outer portion are formed from a single piece ofmaterial folded onto itself in the region of the third open end of saidinner portion.